Unmet transit needs going before council

Saturday

Mar 2, 2013 at 12:30 PM

City Council is set to conduct a public hearing on unmet transit needs at its council meeting Wednesday night at city hall.

City Council is set to conduct a public hearing on unmet transit needs at its council meeting Wednesday night at city hall.The public hearing is necessary to gather community input regarding any unmet transit needs in the city if it intends to secure Transportation Development Act funding.According to the staff report prepared by Public Works Director Dennis Speer, the funds are disbursed by the Kern Council of Governments, the county’s regional transportation solutions agency. “An eligible claimant wishing to receive TDA funding through Kern COG must conduct an annual review of the transit needs of the individuals and groups in the community.” the report states.TDA funding is doled out by the state for projects that improve a city or county’s transportation needs. The majority of it goes to improving systems or public transportation or the development of pedestrian or bicycle paths.After those needs have been addressed, the rest of it, or TDA Article 8 money, can be utilized for road projects as necessary.Consent CalendarConsent calendar items facing council approval include a request to finalize an invoice from contractor Cen-Cal Construction for its completion of the $249,800 Safe Routes to Schools Cycle 8 project.“The project consisted of the construction of curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveway approaches, cross gutters, match up paving, ADA ramps, and street striping along S. Warner Street from W. Upjohn Avenue to W. Church Avenue and W. Church Avenue from S. Sunset Street to S. Warner Street. Additionally, a missing section of curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveways and match up paving at 205 S. Norma was also constructed,” according to the staff report to be presented by Speer.The project is one of many cycles the city has gone through over the years, and is funded by the state’s Safe Routes to School program.The project was completed Feb. 21.Another item waiting the council’s consent is a modification of the city’s lease of Leroy Jackson Sports Complex with Kern County.The second amendment to the lease changes some of the boundaries of the Jackson Sports Complex, according to the staff report to be presented by Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ponek.Ponek confirmed Friday that the amendment would not cost the city a dime beyond what it already pays.According to the staff report the changes would “allow the Maturango Museum and Naval Museum to continue forward with their plans for new development on the site.”Under the terms of the lease, the city would seek the reduce the size currently unused by the city. The Maturango Museum is expanding in a project that began in 2010 and is currently nearing nearing its first phase. It second phase will occur within the facility already built. Additionally, the Naval Museum has tentative plans to move from its current location on the navy base to a location to be established near the Maturango Museum.Ponek made it clear that it was an action by the city.“We have nothing to do with the Museums’ plans,” Ponek said. “That is a completely separate discussion between the county and them.”The council meeting is Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers.